Feminism: chat
All strangulation of women is serious – and it’s time for the law to step up
EmbarrassingHadrosaurus · 29/05/2022 12:25
Closing out the Observer's excellent End Femicide series.
An estimated 20,000 strangulations a year are reported to women’s charities. “The vast majority are a way of exerting power, fear and control – but not fatal,” says CWJ’s Nogah Ofer. Prosecution is also impeded because it is often treated as a private matter, normalised by the increasing use of pornography. Yet NFS increases the odds of a woman being killed by a staggering seven times.
According to the Femicide Census, established by Karen Ingala Smith and Clarrie O’Callaghan, with whom the Observer has collaborated in a year-long campaign to better tackle femicide and violence against women and girls (VAWG), a woman is killed by strangulation every two weeks.
“The Femicide Census has consistently found that strangulation is the second most common method after stabbing that men use to kill women,” says O’Callaghan. “It’s long overdue that the criminal justice system catches up.”
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Last year, Sam Pybus, 32, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after strangling Sophie Moss, 33, during what he alleged was consensual sex. He was jailed for four years and eight months – a sentence that triggered a public outcry but was upheld by the appeal court. A pathologist’s report found Moss’s injuries “do not suggest a very prolonged or very forceful strangulation”. Strangulation does not need to be prolonged or forceful to cause serious long-term damage.
Dr Catherine White is the foremost expert and researcher in strangulation in the UK. She is scathing about the lack of progress. The voluntary expert group of which she and Drown are a part has struggled for months to raise £7,000 to pay for two excellent half days of free training in NFS. Finally, NHS England provided the funds.
“Hopefully, we can ignite a fire in the belly for more training. But why are we volunteers doing this?” White says. “The Ministry of Justice should be knocking on my door, asking for training. The government says it is spending millions on VAWG but, when you look at the scale of the challenge, it’s peanuts.
www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/29/all-strangulation-of-women-is-serious-and-its-time-for-the-law-to-step-up?
The lack of accountability for bringing in appropriate measures is disheartening. The Queen’s speech advised us of legislation that directly undermines women’s and survivors’ rights such as setting aside the Human Rights Act, which serves its purpose as a means to challenge failures by the state to protect women and girls.
getoutofheree · 29/05/2022 12:58
I know a woman who was strangled by her partner while he screamed 'I'm going to kill you'. She fought him off. Their baby was there.
She got a non-molestation and no contact recommendation from cafcass but no prosecution for what he did to her. Police were called at the time, pictures were taken of the bruises, and police deemed what he'd done to be very serious apparently.
EmbarrassingHadrosaurus · 29/05/2022 13:13
no prosecution for what he did to her. Police were called at the time, pictures were taken of the bruises, and police deemed what he'd done to be very serious apparently.
Was she given any reason for this? Is she OK with the non-molestation and no contact? I keep thinking of Wafah Yasmin Chkaifi who was killed despite a restraining order earlier this year.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10464093/Ex-murdered-mum-two-run-hero-driver-warrant-arrest.html
MrsMidClegs · 29/05/2022 13:22
Talking to teenage girls I know 'gentle' strangulation during KISSING is the norm. It's called 'a light hold/grip'.
Parents need to give their sons a serious talk about respecting girls and women, that porn hub does not reflect what a normal consensual loving sexual relationship is like.
Soubriquet · 29/05/2022 13:36
Porn is to blame for this
It makes men believe that strangling during sex is a huge turn on for women
Its not.
Some women may enjoy it as a kink but that is when a safe word must be enacted and if she falls unconscious adult any time, he must stop immediately.
EmbarrassingHadrosaurus · 29/05/2022 13:47
Talking to teenage girls I know 'gentle' strangulation during KISSING is the norm. It's called 'a light hold/grip'.
What is happening to the expectations of young people. That is so frightening. Even without loss of consciousness that sort of blood vessel pressure can cause clots to form.
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